Kohan, Chicago

This University Village gem offers traditional Japanese fare with everything from sushi to an exposed teppan grill where you can see your meal being prepared. Try the rolls; Kohan prides itself on its inventive maki rolls. Keep flipping through the menu, and you'll also find delicious Korean options including bi bim bap, kalbi (grilled short ribs) you can cook at your own table, and yummy varieties of soju (tradition Korean vodka). The ambiance is a modern, clean feel that is spacious and intimate at the same time. Go for the lunch buffet, where you can sample almost everything on the menu, and generous bento boxes. - Eun Jung Decker